UFCThe Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts organization, recognized as the largest MMA promotion in the world. The UFC is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada and is owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC. This promotion is responsible for solidifying the sport's postion in the history-books.
UFC is currently undergoing a remarkable surge in popularity, along with greater mainstream media coverage. UFC programming can now be seen on FOX, FX, and FUEL TV in the United States, as well as in 35 other countries worldwide.

Malki Kawa give's his feedback on Mitrione terminating his services on SPIKE TV after Mitrione's victory over Joey Beltran....

Quote:

Agent Malki Kawa Responds to Being Fired on Live TV at UFC 119

On Monday, MMA agent Malki Kawa explained his side of the story in response to receiving the boot from Matt Mitrione live on national television this past Saturday at UFC 119 in Indianapolis.

Mitrione made the public firing after his win over Joey Beltran during the Spike TV prelims and in a one-on-one interview with MMAFighting.com following the event clarified the dismissal by telling Ariel Helwani that earning $5,000 in sponsorship money was "highly unacceptable." Additionally, Mitrione and his wife felt slighted by Kawa allegedly telling Mitrione's wife that Mitrione's business was none of her's.

Kawa, the CEO of First Round Management, on Monday's The MMA Hour reasoned that he was only able to rake in $5,000 due to the constraints he was working within. Kawa said he picked up Mitrione as a client four weeks ago expecting an exclusive deal only to learn that Mitrione entered their business relationship with a family member already working sponsorships.

"I'm not upset that he got mad that it was only $5,000 but there were certain things I was bringing to the table that would have gotten him at a certain number and he would have been pretty happy had I been able to handle the whole thing A to Z," Kawa said.

Kawa said Mitrione actually made more than $5,000 in sponsorships because that's not including Mitrione's deal with the TapouT-owned Hitman brand before signing with Kawa. Kawa estimates Mitrione made around $10,000-$15,000 after the Hitman deal is considered. That deal with Hitman was also another obstacle for Kawa in closing other deals.
I could have done a lot better but considering the circumstances, this is the best anybody could have done.
-- Malki Kawa
" ... Whatever deal [Mitrione's previous management] made [with Hitman], restricted me from doing deals I normally would get done," Kawa said.

Being let go on live television may not reflect him as a product in the best light, but Kawa says he's actually quite happy about it, as it's giving Kawa, who also represents Jon Jones, Thiago Alves and Kenny Florian, the air time to spread the word of his services instead of just talking about his clients.

"It's awesome in a sense, because I've gotten a lot of publicity," said Kawa, who will also appear on this week's Inside MMA. "I'm on [The MMA Hour] for the first time, and instead of talking about Jon Jones and a potential fight with Ryan Bader, we're talking about me."

Kawa instead, feels bad for Mitrione. whose win over Beltran has been overshadowed by the story of the firing of his manager.

The only disappointment for Kawa himself was the fact that he didn't receive the opportunity to tell his version of the events to person that mattered most in this case, Mitrione.

"I'm not upset with it," Kawa said. "I'm just mad at the fact that he didn't give me to the opportunity to explain to him some of the process that has happened and what's gone down and why his numbers weren't 10-15,000 but only $5,000."

In Mitrione's interview with Helwani, he also mentioned how Kawa disrespected Mitrione's wife.

Kawa said he never told Mitrione's wife that Mitrione's deals were none of her business, but his responses to her were out of how he separates his client's business from his client's personal life. This is, unless he receives approval from his client to do so.

"She's his wife, I'm his agent," Kawa said. "And there are certain things that shouldn't be crossed."

Kawa said he had no idea he would be fired on TV, but revealed Mitrione may have first voiced his displeasure through a text message days before the fight stating, "Are you happy with this $5,000? Do you think this is the best you could have done?"

Kawa responded, "'Listen, I could have done a lot better but considering the circumstances, this is the best anybody could have done.' And I don't think he really understood that and nor did he call me to ask that."

As of Monday afternoon, Kawa's messages to Mitrione have gone unanswered.

I don't know about the sponsorship stuff, but it does sound a little like Mitrione might have overreacted. I mean if you have only been working together for 4 weeks, it might be best to sit down and talk it out privately. Also as for disrespecting his wife, it could be as Mitrione said, but it also could be he just told his wife sorry I can't discuss your husbands business with you. My wife and I have no separation of our our business or finances, but I know that is not always the case. Unless the manager was specifically told he could discuss his business with her, I think he was right not to. It could also be the guy is a dick and thinks women should stay out of their man's business. Either way I think it would have been better to handle it privately.

Raising your profile in this way isn't really ideal. Do you honestly think more people are going to go to this agent because Mitrione said he sucked? That would be stupid..

Mitrione is kind of a jackass, good fighter, but does fit the nickname of 'meathead'. Not giving details to the wife...thats being a professional and probably will serve the agent well for potential clients.

Even though Mitrione is on a nice winning streak and will get more sponsorship, I think this will hurt Mitriones value actually, the loose cannon type of guy.